Fort Worth reducing air pollution? Not so much

by Don Young of of FWCanDo

The City of Fort Worth has been recognized for efforts to reduce air pollution.

New research* on the impacts of oil and gas drilling in the Barnett Shale proves that:

-- Toxic emissions of, NOx (Nitrogen oxide) and VOC's (hydrocarbons), directly attributable to gas drilling, are equal to ALL the motorized vehicles in the 9 county Metroplex, including Dallas.

-- Barnett Shale drilling produces 262 tons per day of these pollutants.

-- This does NOT include "fugitive emissions" which would at least EQUAL the NOx and VOC's.

-- Nor does this include many other toxic pollutants such as CO2 and NORM.

-- This study does NOT include impacts on water supplies or other issues of human health and safety or environmental degradation caused by gas drilling.

-- VOC's released into the environment can damage soil and groundwater.

-- All contribute to global warming.

* The Emissions Inventory (EDF) research was conducted by, Dr. Al Armendariz, Prof. of SMU's Environmental and Civil Engineering Dept. and announced at various university and public lectures in the past few weeks.

Does the City of Fort Worth, led by Mayor Mike Moncrief and his staff deserve recognition for cleaning up the air?

Consider this and draw your own conclusions:

-- The City of FW has permitted about 300 NEW gas wells in 2008, alone.

-- The city continues to issue new permits at the rate of approx. 30 per week.

-- The total number of permitted gas wells in the city limits is near 1,500.

-- Up to 7,000 gas wells are projected to be drilled inside the city limits of FW.

-- The human population of Fort Worth is approx. 700,000.